Stephenson was the only catcher expected to have much chance of going in the top half of round one. He was also a legitimate prospect as a pitcher, but everyone was looking at him as a catcher, where his big arm will remain an asset. He offers big-time power potential, but he probably won’t turn into a particularly well-rounded hitter.

No. 12 pick – Marlins – high school first baseman Josh Naylor

The first Canadian taken, Naylor might offer the greatest power potential in the draft. He’s expected to be limited to first base, and he might not be much of an asset there. He could also be a big strikeout guy. The Marlins obviously have dreams of him protecting Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup someday, but it won’t happen anytime soon. He doesn’t even turn 18 for another two weeks.

No. 13 pick – Rays – high school outfielder Garrett Whitley

The Rays badly need this pick to work out after missing on so many first-rounders of late. Of course, this is the earliest they’ve picked since they grabbed Tim Beckham first overall in 2008. Whitley is a strong defensive center fielder with plenty of speed, and his swing should provide him with power in time.

No. 14 pick – Braves – high school left-hander Kolby Allard

The Braves are going with a West Coast guy in the first round for the first time since 1995, when they took, but didn’t sign, future Stanford quarterback Chad Hutchinson. Allard entered the year as a potential top-five pick, but a stress reaction in his back suffered in March damaged his stock. He could be a tough sign as a UCLA commit.

No. 15 pick – Brewers – high school outfielder Trent Clark

A left-handed hitter, Clark should hit for average and show at least doubles power. He could have gone even higher if teams were convinced he’d stay in center field, but it’s possible he’ll end up in left. The Brewers already have Tyrone Taylor and Monte Harrison as center field hopefuls, so it wouldn’t be such a disaster if Clark needs to slide over.

No. 16 pick – Yankees – UCLA right-hander James Kaprielian

Kaprielian is the biggest pitcher drafted so far, standing 6-foot-4. He should be one of the quickest movers among college pitchers, though he probably doesn’t have the ceiling of a Carson Fulmer. He’s just a low-90s guy with his fastball, but he has four pitches and fine command for someone his age.

No. 17 pick – Indians – left-hander Brady Aiken

The first overall pick from the 2014 draft is off the board. Aiken underwent Tommy John surgery in March, so he won’t begin pitching in the minors until next summer. He was viewed by most as the top talent in last year’s draft, and if his stuff comes all of the way back, he could prove to be a steal for the Indians. Obviously, there’s plenty of risk, but it’s a risk worth taking, considering that plenty of “safer” picks in this range don’t pan out.

No. 18 pick – Giants – Southern Nevada right-hander Phil Bickford

Bickford was the 10th overall pick out of high school in 2013, but he opted not to sign with the Blue Jays. His stuff has been up and down, more due to mechanical issues than any physical problems. He’s thrown in the mid-90s and shown a plus slider at times, and if he puts it all together, he could prove to be an excellent starter in time. Some believe he’s more likely to wind up in the pen.

Sanchez was hit by a boat off of a beach in Carupano, Venezuela in February and was placed in intensive care due to a fractured skull and a hematoma, which caused a stroke. Sanchez then went into a coma.

Sanchez had spent three years in the Mariners’ minor league system, reaching Double-A for the first time at 19 years old last year. He compiled a 4.19 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 34 walks in 124 2/3 innings with the Jackson Generals.

We at HardballTalk send our condolences to Sanchez’s family and friends, as well as the Mariners organization.

Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez suffered a double skull fracture and brain hematoma when he was struck by a boat last Friday while swimming off the eastern-central coast of his native Venezuela.

Sanchez remains in critical condition at a hospital in Carupano — hooked up to a breathing tube and ventilator — but there have been a few positive signs this week. From MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez …

A CT scan on Sanchez, 20, revealed reduced swelling in the pitcher’s head and neck area on Wednesday afternoon, according to agent Rafa Nieves. The pitcher also moved his legs, Nieves said.

Sanchez may undergo another surgery on his skull Thursday and there’s talk of moving him to Caracas or maybe even the United States for further treatment. The right-hander spent the 2014 season at Double-A Jackson. He was ranked a Top 10 prospect in the Mariners’ system last year by Baseball America.